Jobe

Yeah I have it on good authority that the original plans for the 3rd Big Dipper at Luna Park was going to be a custom designed Gerstlauer Eurofighter. It would have utilised the Tumblebug slab and also ventured out behind Coney and then back again. It would have been , through necessity, a unique layout. There is a POV and animation video of this ride in existence which I have yet to view. The Intamin Hot Racer was selected late in the planning and I guess the reasons for its selection would definitely include noise suppression versus the Eurofighter,which having a chain lift , would be fairly loud. I am sure that a custom Eurofighter at Luna Park would have been a great ride experience but I am pretty chuffed that the park opted for the worlds first and very unique single rail launched coaster. Many of the rides that eventually made selection have also slightly changed , both in name and theming. The original planning for the rides definitely had greater theming aspects tied in with the 9 new rides and dare I say, in my opinion, superior names. The theming involved , whilst not overly extensive, is definitely a step up from what we are actually getting and hearkens back to the 95 incarnation and the use of bridges. I am thinking that money and expense is what has curtailed these elements back from initial planning and we must not forget that LPS has put in a significant $30 million investment for the 9 rides it is adding. What is being added is appropriate for a boardwalk style amusement park but of course, the theming and added bridges to each ride are certainly sorely missed.

At the risk of offending anyone I am assuming you mean the SkyRocket II and not the original Skyrocket model as installed at Kennywood. I think a Skyrocket II would be an excellent addition in that space and would be seen as the obvious upgrade to what Buzzsaw brought to the table. These are more than the one trick pony's that Skyloops provide. Not having ridden one yet, they do look like quite intense rides and they certainly are far superior to the Skyloop and yet it would provide a skyline very similar to the exisiting Buzzsaw structure. Of course these are not the only options which could be a fine direct replacement for Buzzsaw. Zamperla announced earlier this year their take on a similar ride called the Double Heart coaster which visually looks very similar to not only Buzzsaw but the Skyrocket II. There has not been a unit installed yet but they look like a good option for some smaller parks to invest in-the larger model would be great marketing for the park as a cheap 200ft plus hyper coaster- matching the height of DC Rivals down the road. 2 trains gives great capacity. The 70 foot option also looks like a good model and option for a direct replacement. All in all, I dont think it will be long before we see some of these models installed in a park soemwhere. Of course, Intamin have a similar model which would also be an excellent replacement in this space . Their vertical LSM coaster has had one unit to date and that has had much praise put on that one install, Sandy's Blasting Bronco at Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America. S & S have been bandied about on this thread with the 4D Freespin ( I hope I get that right 😬) but they also offer something which I think would be a far better direct replacement. Their LSM Triple Launch El Loco has also had good reviews and they look like a decent ride experience as well. Currently there has only been one install of this model at Playland's Castaway Cove. Of course the S & S 4D Freespin has had many installs across the world ( mostly thanks to Six Flags ) and they have been greeted with mostly positive reviews. One of these could easily fit where Buzzsaw sat and would provide excellent kinetic energy to that area and as you enter the carpark. Not my first option as a replacement but one I could definitely see being installed and actually quite marketable to the public. I think that any of these options would be a great direct replacement for the poorly lamented Buzzsaw-my take is that if we had one of these announced it would be met with good enthusiasm from the general public. If Buzzsaw could have survived for another couple of years and one of these was announced immediately as the replacement then I think general approval from general public and enthusiast alike would be aligned. Now of course, we have Dreamworld once again removing attractions seemingly without a plan for replacement. The public perception of poor value abounds in forums and social media posts regarding Dreamworld and their current ride offering. One of these installed would go a long way to regaining some measure of equilibrium- although there is still plenty of work to be done beyond a replacement for Buzzsaw. So out of these options which would one would you choose to replace Buzzsaw? Which would be the better ride and which ride do you think would have the greater impact on the general public ?

Well it has been accurate regarding the layout and the train in every way- I dont see why or how that the queue line represented in the video could not be close to being what we finally get. Yeah as I mused in my post above, given the location of the transfer track, perhaps its conceivable that it will only being used for the entrance with as the concept video has shown, an exit staircase is constructed. I think you could also be right that a footbridge could be used to reach the main queue line- if so would be a great spot for photos!! Yeah Luna Park isnt really built for the handicapped in mind- although i think if you contact guest services then certain arrangements can be made.

Yeah I think that is innacurate. Luna Park is definitely not a theme park but moreover is certainly an old school style boardwalk amusement park- as @MrLukeCarroll as already expounded. A fair is simply a collection of travelling and transportable rides which even though LPS has utilised in the past, the majority of attractions are of a permanent nature. There will definitely be 2 trains- given the capacity of 7 riders per train it is common sense to have 2 trains. Since the initial renderings of the trains have proven to be exactly what we get, it appears the 2nd train will be a red example. Whilst I would have preferred to have something uniquely belonging to Luna Park on the trains as theming, I can live with it. They have not promised anything we are not getting- it is what it is. Given the fact that this is a prototype, I think has influenced the generic train design here. I think you have hit the nail on the head here. The old Tumble Bug entry is essentially the 2nd Big Dipper entrance as it were. The plan is to certainly utilise this fantastic structure again as the entrance to the new Big Dipper. The transfer track covers only half the entrance and the entrance itself has 2 sides- one for exiting and one for gaining entrance. There is plenty of room still to have this as the exit and entrance. Remember from the intial renderings that the queue for the coaster will be in the middle and will be in a spiral design. All the area needs is to ensure that there is room for 2 people to pass each other-one going up and one going down- to facilitate this as the main Dipper entry. It would make no sense to not use this. I guess if this does not occur, an exit stairwell could be located on the other side near Coney Island as a simple exit way but I do not think this will occur. Interestingly I have just gone back and looked at the initial video of the new Big Dipper and it shows a new stairwell which I presume is the exit from the station. This would make sense as it is on the other side of the station meaning you exit to the other side and walk down this newly built platform and stairwell. The transfer track is not shown but this could still fit in here easily behind the transfer track and leaving the main entrance for entry to the ride only. What is not as clear is exactly how riders are meant to get to the inner spiral queue. The intitial launch track is not high enough to walk under until the very edge of the slab so perhaps riders enter the ride from the stairwell and then walk to the very edge, entering underneath the first launch at its highest point and then entering the spiral queue, walking up a short set of stairs to the station, board the ride and exit on the other side , walking down the newly installed platform and stairwell to the midway below.

Yeah you might want to check that claim again that all track is complete. In the above photo there is clearly missing trackwork that still needs to be installed. There is plenty of work that needs completion yet as well- the building of the load/unload station, the completion of the floor near the station and the queue area, the installation of the launch tyres in several locations and other theming aspects. Thats just what we can see. I am sure there are various other systems that are not readily visible that have not yet even been touched. There is ample work yet on the coaster that still needs to come to fruition. Patience is the key- it will happen. However, at this point, the installation of trackwork has not yet been completed.

Assuming that these will be a fairly quiet launch? I am guessing that noise was definitely a major factor in choosing this type of coaster.

To be honest, one of the most positive things that Dreamworld could do right now is bring back the real steam train permanently. Not only is it unique on the Gold Coast, its an opening day attraction and an absolute icon of the park. Run it all day, no timetable, constantly from 10am to 5pm. This would be such an affirmative decision and a huge step in the right direction for the park. Enthusiasts and the general public alike would recognise how good a move this would be. Surely this makes the most sense to the operators of Dreamworld- there are plenty with theme park experience at the place who should know better than the accountants? Surely the good will and the positive vibes this would bring would offset the cost of running?

Not sure why anyone would be surprised RE a projected Boxing Day opening of Big Dipper. The coaster was always slated to open in December and all press material relating to the Dipper has pointed to this date. Its an easy extrapolation to surmise that 26th December Boxing Day would be the likely opening date. Even if they are well ahead of the construction curve, I cannot see them opening any earlier as we have a little thing called COVID to contend with. The park will want to make sure that it can open in confidence and they will want to maximise the publicity of opening such a ride in order to put more people through the turnstiles. Fingers crossed that by the time December rolls around, the park will be in a position to make a positive call on opening Big Dipper by the current time line. If not, and COVID is still a maor issue in the Greater Sydney area , then there is a real possibility that Luna Park will be faced with a Iron Gwazi/Icebreaker situation where we have the new ride complete but not the optimum conditions to open.

Luna Park Melbourne has the space vacated by their former coaster Metropolis. This space could easily fit in the Skyloop model in that footprint- yeah sure they would have to move around a couple of flats- but it is extremely doable. This would be a pretty good acquisition for the park as they certainly need another thrill coaster and given the value on offer with the purchase of Buzzsaw, would be a good fit. Given LPM's crowd levels, throughput would not be a problem and would give LPM a much needed boost and attention focus. Yeah I dont think Aussie World is a serious contender either as they definitely have a master plan that they are working towards. It may only be a serious option given the bargain price investment that the purchase of Buzzsaw could offer the park and the ability to add to their coaster line up in an economical purchase. I actually think that Buzzsaw would look good in Aussie World's skyline but i dont credit the idea with much creedence. True they dont but they have been steadily adding to their portfolio of attractions and an opportunity like this may be too good to pass. It would certainly be a game changer for the park if they did! Adventure World seems like the best fit but it seems very unlikely that this would happen. Although they certainly have a history of purchasing second hand rides such as the Geronimo Schwarzkopf coaster from Luna Park Sydney and their current Huss Drop Tower Inferno..... Gumbuya World is a bit of a dark horse for mine. They have bolted out of the blue in the last 5 years and have a good sized park with good attractions that is just aching for a couple of tier 1 thrill rides. Buzzsaw could definitely fill that need... Funfields could also be seen as a likely contender as they have invested heavily in the past few years in new attractions. They are also known for picking up second hand rides and giving them a new lease on life( see the Stingray from Dreamworld and the Pirate Ship from Seaworld). Adding a ride of this calibre and their first coaster would be a game changer for them certainly........ Rainbows End for mine would be the most logical choice. Buzzsaw would see them add a much needed 4th coaster to their lineup and would be an economical pick up for them. It is a park that doesnt have a huge amount of land for expansion yet could fit Buzzsaw with ease. It would be a good option for them. In saying all that, my bet is also the Asian market, especially in the South East. I reckon a park in Indonesia or Vietnam would be the most likely contender.........time will tell!!

Yeah I knew that I was just having a lark mate!!

These pics yours mate or second hand? 😂😎👍

You haven't been feeding info to @themagician recently by any chance??

Hahaha no shit!! Sorry for laughing at your misfortune here Magician but I guess I love the irony of how you accept the platitudes for this type of info without mentioning that it comes from another source then drop it like a hot potato when its proved to be wrong!!! 😆😆 Don't get me wrong I think we all would react this way but I guess this is a poster child to disclose all where we all get info from , especially if it turns pear shaped!!

I agree 100% here. Something does not quite add up. If the ride is the absolute maintenance nightmare that it is purported to be then it should not be advertised as being in perfect working condition. Interestingly, there were 10 models of this type installed around the world with all still being in operation. The last one was installed in China in 2015. The earliest and prototype is still operating in Germany at Skyline Park. All of this does not speak of a ride type that is a maintenance nightmare. Methinks that this could be Dreamworld's spin factory giving a major reason for its demise from the park. I am sure that the ride DID have its issues- they have been well documented- but this is coming from the park that added extra restraints not signed off by a manufacturer on a ride that literally has hundreds of installs- worldwide- I am looking at you Shockwave.....how much of the "so called maintainence issues" have been brought about by Dreamworld themselves and their running of the ride? Remember its not even 10 years old........and every other model install in the world is still operating in its original location. There are 8 X-Car coaster installs and the only one that has been scrapped and removed is the G-Force at Drayton Manor. Not a hugely popular model type but other than that one example, all are still operating. There are 3 operating in China, one in the Netherlands, one in Germany, one in Italy and one in the United States. The biggest profile is of course Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket at Universal Studios in Florida. I have had the opportunity to ride this and I thought it was a decent ride. The harnesses seemed fine but of course being Universal , it is certainly well looked after. Just because the manufacturer Maurer are not actively marketing the line does not mean they will not support the ride installs that have already been built. This seems a bit harsh for mine especially as the last X-Car and Skyloop installs were both in 2015- just 6 years ago. I find it hard to imagine that a manufacturer would refuse to support a park with a ride type that was still being installed such a short time ago. I think also that the fact that there 10 models of the Skyloop installed and 8 X-Car types installed would mean that parts for these models would still be in existence and in good quantities. This isnt a Tower of Terror issue where we are seeing a ride model type that consisted of one prototype and one other install...surely given the number of installs Maurer can conceivably support this model type for the existing coasters for quite some time.

So realistically if a park in Australia was going to purchase it where do you think the best option is for it to go? The parks that could potentially purchase and install Buzzsaw include: Funfields Aussie World Gumbaya World Adventure Park Geelong Luna Park Melbourne Adventure World, Perth And as a long shot Rainbows End, Auckland. Any that I missed? Would this be a good acquisition for any of these parks? Thoughts?

Hahaha 🤣 Actually a train with Me Moon at the front would not be half bad!!! I could see it working!!

Yeah I was thinking its a little out of place as well, hence my question. I dont hold high hopes but we will just have to wait and see the reveal.

Given that Big Dipper is moving ahead so quickly, and that everything that has been put in place so far has virtually mirrored the concept artwork initially shown, who is betting that Big Dippers train and cars will be exactly what has been already shown? The cars and trains on the animation looked exactly like the generic trains from the Hot Racer concept videos from Intamin when they were released. Do we think that the trains will be generic or do you think that there will be some local and unique theming added to make them Luna Park specific?

Where is the rule that says you cant have 3 triple launch coasters in the same park? The Premier rides Skyrocket II might not be the best choice for another coaster but its light years from what Buzzsaw is now and if Dreamworld were to announce one of these as a direct replacement then i think we would all be pretty happy with that option. This. ☝️ The real issue with this announcement is that Dreamworld have once again announced the removal of an attraction without any plans for direct replacement. Given that this will be the 6th major loss of ride/attraction in just over 24 months Dreamworld need to have a plan for replacement and they need to communicate this to the public. Already, following this announcement, the social media was filled with comments such as "this park keeps removing attractions", this park is not what it used to be" , "there is no value in this park anymore". They simply fill the pages and this sort of negative perception can only be turned around with a positive replacement announcement plans. If they don't , they run the real risk of losing the public altogether, who will only see what is being removed, and not the big picture of an overhaul of the park.

Thanks @Yyosh. It just looks like residential especially with the balconies looking decidely "lived in" Cheers

Does anybody know, in the picture of the Big Dipper track above, is the building directly behind it, is that residential appartments? I know at the time this has been reported as being a corporate/business building but gee those balconies look like they belong to residential appartments? Can anyone clarify on that with any defintiveness?

Hmm....local councilor and advocate for North Sydney- ironically he lists on his website as wanting to "save" Luna Park as part of the community engagement. What a load of BS. I am betting he has been contacted by some of the rich , entitled , self indulgent and selfish nearby residents who are tyring to stir up trouble. They do not have a leg to stand on and the park has complied with every government requirement under the amended Luna Park act. They are well within the letter of the law and the residents nor this bloke can do much other than grandstanding. I reckon he can f*!k right off.

A step in the right direction- NSW Police have offered a $1 Million dollar reward for informatio pertaining to the Ghost Train Fire of 1979. It stops short of the independant commision and inquiry that is needed for this case to be put to rest. https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/million-dollar-reward-announced-for-luna-park-fatal-fire-20210707-p587l8.html#:~:text=Authorities hope a %241 million,inside the Ghost

No. It really isnt.

Isnt the fact that it isnt DC themed one of the selling points and also why a ride like this should be added to Movieworld's lineup? It hearkens back to the long lost and much lamented original studio tour. If the park had the capability of installing theming on this level before ( think LTRR ,Gremlins and even Bermuda Triangle etc ) then if they had the desire why could they not add an installation at this level again?